You can barbeque it, boil it, broil it, bake it,

Coconut shrimp

Forrest Gump (1994)

“Me and Jenny goes together like peas and carrots.”

Few of us have Forrest’s uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. How many times have you got to the bus stop a minute after the bus has left, and unless you also have Forrest’s incredible sprinting ability, you know you are going to be waiting another fifteen minutes in the sleeting rain until the next one deigns to put in an appearance.

His many adventures raise many laughs but it is Forrest’s ability to make close, touching friendships with those he meets that make the movie for me. His love for Jenny, his trust of Lt Dan and his naming of the shrimp fleet for Bubba bring a lump to the throat.

This scene in the film contains no food but the list of possible meals reeled off has always made my mouth water.

Lunch today was the coconut shrimp found in the middle of the aforementioned list. Why this one and not the others? Because I had seen a plate of them at the magnificent seafood shack called Barnacle Bill’s in Englewood, Florida. I’d have ordered them there and then if I hadn’t been full to the brim with the crab roll I’d already eaten.

I’ve no idea what they tasted like but they were rough looking and were served with a lime wedge so mine are too!

Cast (serves 1 as amain (2 s a starter)

120g raw king prawns (deveined)

1 lime, juiced and zested

2 tsp sweet chilli sauce

Pinch sea salt

1 egg white whisked to a froth

3 tbsp panko breadcrumbs

3 tbsp unsweetened dessicated coconut

Flavourless oil for deep frying

Sweet chilli sauce and lime cheeks to serve

Mise en scene

1. Place the lime juice, zest, salt and chilli sauce into a large bowl. Stir in the prawns and leave for a minute or so.

2. Put the oil into a saucepan and put onto heat to a medium temperature. “yes sergeant”

3. Whisk the egg white until really frothy. In a separate bowl mix together the panko and coconut. If you don’t have panko regular breadcrumbs will do fine.

4. Set up your station to do the pane. “Yes sergeant!”

5. Take the marinated prawn, dip into the egg white, into the crumb mix and then into the hot oil.

6. Cook for a minute or so until cooked through and browned on the outside.

7. Remove from the oil, drain on kitchen paper and serve with salad, lime wedges and a pot of sweet chilli sauce.

Voice over.

The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your prawns. You can make a fish sauce based dip, or just use soy if you want it’s up to you.